Whereas, Actions taken by Peabody and Arch to shed themselves
of promised health and retirement benefits through corporate
schemes could also hurt coal retiree's pensions and health care;
and

Whereas, The loss of promised health care and retirement
benefits jeopardizes the health and security of UMWA active, laid
off and retired members and their dependants; and

Whereas, The loss of promised health care and retirement
benefits, if not addressed, could push many local communities into
a financial crisis; and

Whereas, All coal field communities have a significant
interest in fighting to maintain retiree pensions and health care
for our citizens; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature hereby calls upon Patriot Coal to live up
to their obligations to active and retired miners, their families
and widows; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Legislature pledges
the United Mine Workers of America and its membership to join in
the fight to protect and maintain mine workers' pensions and health
care from assaults by these and other coal operators; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Legislature calls
upon Peabody, Arch and Patriot to live up to their obligations to
provide coal miners' health care and retirement security; and, be
it

Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Legislature calls
upon others to assist in preventing these corporations from
stripping from active, laid off and retired coal miners their
contractually promised lifetime health care benefits.